In November 2018 researchers from Brazil published the results of their study to assess a potential relationship between gut bacterial species, metabolic syndrome and dietary intake. It is known that dietary habits have a strong influence on bacteria living in the gut and that these dietary habits may result in an imbalance which could increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. A total of 34 obese individuals, with and without metabolic syndrome, were included in the study. Faeces from these individuals were analysed to detect levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium coccoides, and Lactobacillus spp. Results showed that showed that those with the metabolic syndrome had a 6.7-fold higher level of C. coccoides in their stool samples than those with no metabolic syndrome. A further analysis revealed that higher levels of C. coccoides were directly related to a higher dietary intake of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, it was seen that the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet was able to predict of the quantity of C. coccoides found in the faeces. Alterations in the gut bacteria were found to be linked with levels of triacylglycerol in obese individuals. Therefore, the type and quantity of dietary fat may alter the gut bacteria in obese individuals with the metabolic syndrome and may increase their risk to dyslipidemia.
Jamar G et al. Relationship between fatty acids intake and Clostridium coccoides in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome. Food Res Int. 2018 Nov;113:86-92